of Native Sovereignty and Safety for Native Women Restoration

june 2016 International Partnerships at United Nations Headquarters Volume 13, Issue 2 SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW AVAILABLE/RESTORATION.NIWRC.ORG

Lucy Simpson “The spring of 2016 was a dynamic season for our Executive Director national movement and a very busy one at NIWRC! NIWRC The NIWRC Board and staff were honored to coordinate with the White House on the United State of Women Summit and the National Institute of Justice to inform tribal leaders and advocates of its new report on violence against women. It was also exciting to assist in organizing a full-house performance of Sliver of a Full Moon at the National Museum of the American Indian. In this season, NIWRC also expanded its education role by coordinating two Congressional briefings, both filled to capacity. With these developments, and the gains of the last few months to create a dedicated tribal funding stream under the Victims of Crime Act, we recognize that even though we have a long road ahead, historic changes are happening on a daily basis.”

Jacqueline “Jax” Agtuca “The exciting milestones toward creation of Editor a tribal funding stream under the Victims of Restoration Crime Act are a reflection of an increased awareness and concern for the safety of Native women. As we look toward the reauthorization of the Family Violence Prevention Act in 2017 and VAWA in 2018, now is the time for the national movement for the safety of Native women to examine the next set of reforms required to strengthen the sovereignty of Indian nations to protect Native women. The groundswell we experienced in the struggle to win VAWA 2013 must be reignited and built upon. The stronger we are as a national movement the greater the potential is for real change in the daily lives of Native women. As Tillie Black Bear often said, “We must be ready to stand for the safety of Native women at any time and at any place.”

Instructions on how to use the QR codes in this magazine 1. Using your smartphone, go to Google Play (for Androids) or App Store (for iphones). 2. Search for the QR Bot app. Download and open on your phone. 3. The QR Bot app will use the camera on your phone to scan the code at right. 4. Open the website link it takes you to! Cover: United Nations, Commission on the Status of Women, 60th Session, March 22, 2016

Representatives from the Indian Law Resource Center, Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center, National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, and the NCAI Task Force on Violence Against Women at the United Nations, Commission’s 60th session in New York City. The delegation pressed for action to end violence against indigenous women and build support among states and UN actors. The team included (left to right): Terri Henry, Paula Julian, Jana Walker, Jacqueline “Jax” Agtuca, Christopher Foley, Karla General, and (center front) Tami Truett Jerue. To read more, see pages 30–34.

In the News 6 :: NIWRC Calls for Support for Ashlynne Mike’s Family and a National Response to Missing and Murdered Native Women 7 :: High Hopes for National Native Domestic Violence Hotline 8 :: Congressional Briefing: VAWA 2013 Special Domestic Violene Criminal Jurisdiction 10 :: Congressional Briefing: Latest Data on Violence Against Native Women 11 :: Update: Tribal Crime Victims Fund Amendment 15 :: National Institute of Justice Research Report

NativeLove Awareness Campaign 16 :: Torres Martines Desert Cahuilla Indians welcomes NativeLove to help celebrate national NativeLove Challenge youth winner Kristen Butcher 17 :: Native Love 2016 by Kristen Butcher 18 :: Vision Maker Film Festival 19 :: Updates on NativeLove Challenge Winners

Changing Culture 20 :: White House: United State of Women Summit 21 :: Sexual Assault Awareness at the Academy Awards

Alaska Tribal Update 22 :: Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center, 2013-2016 25 :: Kotzebue Regional

Advocacy Highlights 28 :: The Southwest Indigenous Women’s Coalition (SWIWC) Conference

International 30 :: June 2016 International Update

NIWRC News 35 :: Upcoming NIWRC Webinars 36 :: Support the VAWA Sovereignty Initiative 40 :: NIWRC Updates website to be accessible on mobile devices 41 :: Sliver of a Full Moon at White House: United State of Women Summit Dear Friends,

Since the establishment of the NCAI Task Force on Violence Against Women in 2003, Restoration magazine has provided tribal leaders, advocates, and attendees with an update on emerging issues impacting the safety of American Indian and Alaska Native women.

Since the February Restoration update, the important advances toward creation of a dedicated tribal funding under the Crime Victims Fund is exciting and refreshing. This proposed reform will address a long-standing historic inequity. It has the potential to remove a legal barrier denying tribal crime victims access to services provided under the Fund through tribal governements and on tribal lands. Currently, states and territories receive annual funding under the Fund, while Indian tribes do not. The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), the original legislation passed in 1984, does not include Indian tribes. As a result, Indian tribes receive less than 1% of the Crime Victims Fund. While collections under the Fund reached a high of $2.8 billion in 2013, state governments passed through a mere 0.5% of the available funds to programs serving tribal crime victims from 2010–2014.

Over the last decade, the NCAI Task Force, tribal leaders, and the tribal grassroots movement have raised concerns that Indian tribes do not have the same access to the Crime Victims Fund as other governments. Tribal leaders consistently expressed these concerns during previous annual USDOJ VAWA consultations. In addition, NCAI passed a resolution in support of amending VOCA to create a dedicated Indian VOCA program during the Anchorage 2014 national conference. We encourage everyone concerned to follow and voice his or her opinion regarding the need for a dedicated tribal VOCA program. This Restoration provides highlights of this struggle on pages 11–13.

The NCAI Task Force on Violence Against Women has worked for more than a decade to steadily increase the safety of Native women on a national level. As with each volume of Restoration, we hope this information assists you in understanding the many new developments in our efforts to increase the safety of Native women in the United States!

Co-Chairs, NCAI Task Force on Violence Against Women

Juana Majel Terri Henry Traditional Legislative Former Chairwoman of Counsel, Pauma Band of Council, Eastern Band of Luiseno Mission Indians Cherokee Indians

4 | NCAI TASK FORCE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN / /NCAI TASK FORCE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN | 5 NIWRC Calls for Support for Ashlynne Mike’s Family and a National Response to Missing and Murdered Native Women “We are currently working Marathon, held May 7th, to raise awareness and build 2016, dedicated the run to momentum to address Ashlynne Mike with runners the pattern of missing and wearing Ashlynne’s favorite murdered Native women color yellow. The CSVANW and girls in the United States and NIWRC staff participated such as the case of Ashlynne in the marathon. “Our Mike,” stated Cherrah Giles, traditions teach us running NIWRC Board President. in prayer brings strength to “NIWRC encourages tribal others. Three generations communities to come of my family ran in prayer together as relatives and offer for healing and comfort in prayers for Ashlynne Mike’s Shiprock, NM. My life’s work family and community.” is directly impacted by this The Coalition to Stop tragedy and all intentional Violence Against Native harms to children, women, Women (CSVANW) in New and families. May the Creator Mexico organized community receive beautiful Ashlynne,” activities in support of said Dorma Sahneyah, Ashlynne Mike’s family. The NIWRC Director of Training Coalition held a community and Technical Assistance. gathering at the Indian Please use #ForAshlynne Pueblo Cultural Center in #JusticeforAshlynne Albuquerque, and accepted #iwillRUNforher to bring monetary donations and awareness to violence donated goods (such as against Native women and non-perishable food, fabric, children. ame Deer, Montana — On May 5, blankets, yarn, and items “Our deepest condolences 2016, the National Indigenous that are traditionally used in from the NIWRC to the LWomen’s Resource Center ceremonies and as give-away family of Ashlynne Mike, our (NIWRC) released a statement to offer items that the family can use). tribal communities, and our In addition, the Shiprock relatives,” said Lucy Simpson. prayers and support to the family of Ashlynne Mike. “The difficulty of this heartbreaking situation has required us to pause for prayer as parents, aunties, and grandmas,” said Lucy Simpson, Executive Director of NIWRC. “The abrupt and violent taking of the innocent life of this Native Diné child is deeply felt by all of the NIWRC family.”

Ashlynne Mike, an 11-year-old girl on the Navajo Nation, was kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and May 5, 2016, NIWRC Communications Officer Princella RedCorn (left) found dead. The suspect has been apprehended and sister Ignacia Parker attend the Osage Nation candlelight vigil for Ashlynne Mike. The group that gathered wore the color red and prayed and federal authorities are conducting the criminal for Ashlynne’s family, the Navajo Nation and all missing and murdered Indigenous women and children. (Photo courtesy of Geneva Horsechief- investigation. Hamilton, Osage Nation) 6 | MISSING & MURDERED / High Hopes for National Native Domestic Violence Hotline

ach tribe has their own language, culture, The National Native Domestic E and government,” said Leanne Guy, Executive Violence Hotline (NNDVH), Director of the Southwest scheduled to begin taking calls Indigenous Women’s Coalition. “Native women in January 2017, will offer crisis need a Native hotline intervention, safety planning because their lives and assessments, and referrals to local pathways to safety are rooted in their tribal resources tailored to nations.” Native women.

For nearly 20 years, the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) has been a vital link to safety for many affected by domestic violence. Its advocates respond to calls 24/7, 365 days a year. Over many years, NDVH has continued to grow and expand contact services to include online chat and texting. However, culturally appropriate services to American Indian and Alaska Native women and issues involving criminal jurisdiction on tribal lands present unique challenges.

“Native women seeking safety from abuse need the services of a national hotline that is designed and staffed with Native advocates to serve Native women within their tribal nations,” said Dorma Sahneyah, NIWRC Director of Training and Technical Assistance. “Not having a national Native hotline to provide culturally appropriate services Native women need and deserve is a gap that impacts the safety of Native women.”

“When you are in crisis, it is important to have the person on the other end of the phone understand the tribal justice system handling her criminal or civil case and cultural practices, beliefs, and language,” said Guy. “Each tribe has a specific response system and knowledge of this system is essential in order to assist a caller.”

NIWRC staff Lucy Simpson, Executive Director; Tang Cheam, Director of Technology; and Dorma Sahneyah are working with the NDVH to develop a planning process, establish timelines, develop infrastructure, build a tribal resource database, hire and train staff, and provide tribal community outreach.

In October 2014, the National Congress of American Indians passed during its Atlanta conference Resolution #ATL-14-028, which supports the creation of a NNDVH to be developed and run by Native advocates. “An integral part of insuring sustainable future funding for the Native Hotline is support for reauthorization of the Family Violence and Prevention Services Act (FVPSA),” said Sahneyah. “Permanent funding for the NNDVH is a proposed amendment to FVPSA.” / NATIVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE | 7 Standing Room Only at Congressional Briefing on the Implementation of VAWA 2013 Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction over Non-Indians

ashington, D.C.—More than 100 people accepted the invitation to attend the Congressional briefing on violence against women and implementation of VAWA W 2013 Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction held February 23, 2016. “VAWA was a major step but it asked Terri Henry, the moderator Congress of American Indians was just the beginning to restoring of the briefing and the former (NCAI). The honorary Congressional to Indian tribes—sovereign nations— Chairwoman of the Eastern Band co-hosts were U.S. Representatives the authority to protect women,” of Cherokee Indians and current Louise M. Slaughter, Betty McCollum, said Congressman Xavier Becerra. “I Co-Chair of the National Congress Gwen Moore, and Xavier Becerra. want to thank those tribes who are of American Indians Task Force on “But, when you look at national implementing tribal jurisdiction over Violence Against Women. “Because statistics for Native women, what is non-Indians committing domestic the rates of violence perpetrated lost in translation is the complexity violence on tribal lands because we against Native women showed of the criminal justice system and can now talk about real successes. that 6 in 10 Native women will be understanding that these crimes Now we have cases are perpetrated at the of Native women who “We knew these offenses were occurring for many years local level. In the case have had their rights and all we could do was drive the abuser to the edge of the of Native women, these defended.” reservation. We found that the non-Indian defendants had crimes are committed The 2013 VAWA at the local, tribal level,” affirmed tribes’ ability a long history of violence and were repeat offenders, some shared Ms. Henry. to exercise special with criminal convictions and outstanding felony warrants.” “Our reality is that domestic violence Alfred Urbina, Attorney General, Pascua Yaqui Tribe our tribal lands have criminal jurisdiction become safe havens for (SDVCJ) over non-Indian defendants victims of domestic violence. And perpetrators.” within Indian country for domestic 1 of 3 Native women will be raped As of January 1, 2016, eight tribes or dating violence against Native in their lifetime, many of which are have implemented special domestic women, and violations of protection domestic-violence related.” violence criminal jurisdiction over orders. The briefing provided The briefing was cosponsored by non-Indians under VAWA 2013. updates on tribal implementation of the National Indigenous Women’s Together, the tribes have made this lifesaving legislation. Resource Center, Indian Law 44 SDVCJ arrests, resulting in 18 “Why was this provision needed?” Resource Center, and National guilty pleas, 5 referrals for federal 8 | CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING-FEBRUARY 2016 / February 23, 2016, Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C.—The attendees of the Congressional briefing sharing thoughts on the remarks of speakers on implementation of VAWA 2013 tribal jurisdiction over non-Indians. Photos from left to right: Beverly Cook, Chief, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, and Carmen O’Leary, Director, Native Women’s Society of the Great Plains. Beverly Cook. Tulalip tribal members Deborah Parker, Councilwoman Theresa Sheldon, and Vice Chairman Glen Gobin. prosecution, 1 acquittal by jury, 12 “Non-Indian offenders had the (CJS) appropriations bill, but the dismissals, with 6 cases pending. feeling they could do what they House did not. This year, we are very The Pascua Yaqui Tribe began wanted to because there was no way optimistic. We are hoping for your exercising SDVCJ on February they would be prosecuted. We could support over the coming months.” 20, 2014, as part of the DOJ Pilot call county law enforcement but “I want to thank all of you Project. Since implementing SDVCJ, their response was very long or they implementing the hard-fought the tribe has made 26 SDVCJ arrests would not come at all,” said Glen legislation won under the Violence involving 20 separate offenders, Gobin, Vice Chairman of the Tulalip Against Women Act. You have resulting in 6 guilty pleas, 4 referrals Indian Tribes. “Now the tribe can learned from your cases prosecuting for federal prosecution, 1 acquittal prosecute non-Indian offenders but non-Indians. We knew that VAWA by jury, and 10 dismissals. Pascua the jurisdiction is limited Yaqui reports that since it began to certain crimes, it does

“I am here to ask for your help to protect our children. The law today does not allow our tribe to charge crimes by non-Indians against children who are present or involved. We need the jurisdiction to protect our children.” Theresa Sheldon, Councilwoman, Tulalip Tribes implementing SDVCJ, cases not protect victims of involving non-Indians have made up stranger rape, and does 25% of the tribe’s domestic violence not protect children or caseload. other family members.” “The 16 offenders investigated In response to a “We need to expand the jurisdiction over children, sexual in the initial year accounted for question asking what assault, and other crimes connected to domestic violence.” —Congresswoman Gwen Moore 86 contacts with just Pascua members of Congress Yaqui law enforcement before can do to help in the coming needed to protect all women,” said and after passage of VAWA 2013 weeks, Virginia Davis of the NCAI Congresswoman Gwen Moore. “We and not counting state contacts. responded, “The most critical need to expand the jurisdiction The offenders included African support needed right now is tied over children, sexual assault, and American, Asian, Hispanic, and to resources for Indian tribes other crimes connected to domestic Caucasian men and one woman,” to enhance their response and violence. Tribal women certainly said Oscar “OJ” Flores, Chief implement this lifesaving provision. should have the protection of their Prosecutor of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. Most significant is tribal access law enforcement and know they can The Tulalip Tribes began to the Crime Victims Fund, which live safely in their community.” exercising SDVCJ on February is the main source of federal Update: Since the briefing, 20, 2014, as part of the DOJ Pilot funding to crime victims. These both the House and Senate Project. As of February 1, 2016, funds do not currently reach tribal Appropriations Committee’s have the Tribes had 11 SDVCJ arrests victims well because there is no approved FY 17 CJS Appropriations involving 9 defendants, resulting in dedicated funding stream for bills that include a 5% allocation for 6 guilty pleas, 1 federal guilty plea, 2 Indian tribes. This could be fixed tribal governments from the Crime dismissals, and 2 cases pending. The in the appropriations process. Last Victims Fund. Please see pg. 11 for a defendants have had a combined year the Senate included money comprehensive update on this issue. number of 109 contacts with Tulalip from the Crime Victims Fund in the Tribal Law Enforcement since 2008. Commerce, Justice, and Science  / CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING-FEBRUARY 2016 | 9 EXPLORE ONLINE: Resources from the Congressional Briefing: niwrc.org/news/resources-congressional-briefing- impact-vawa-2013-indian-tribes-february-2016

Congressional Briefing on the Latest Data Regarding Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men ore than 4 in 5 American Indian The report finds more than 1 in 2 American and Alaska Native women have Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced M intimate partner violence and among those experienced violence in their lifetime and women, 90% experienced this violence at the more than 1 in 2 American Indian and Alaska hands of an interracial intimate partner. The Native women have experienced sexual report states that “among the American Indian violence, according to the National Institute and Alaska Native women who have experienced of Justice’s new report. On June 16th, the sexual violence in their lifetime, almost all (96%) have experienced sexual violence by an interracial National Congress of American Indians, the perpetrator.” National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, and the Indian Law Resource Center “The report confirms what we see at the co-sponsored a Congressional briefing, to grassroots level every day,” said Lucy Simpson, share information about the findings in the Executive Director of the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. “Native women suffer Violence Against American Indian and Alaska terribly disproportionate rates of violence, and Native Women and Men: 2010 Findings it is usually non-Native men who are committing from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual these crimes. We need to make sure that our Violence Survey. The briefing was held in tribal governments have all the tools they need to cooperation with Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) respond to this epidemic of violence.” and Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY).

10 | CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING-FEBRUARY 2016 / One Step Closer to Creation of a Dedicated Tribal Victims of Crime Act Program: House Appropriations Subcommittee Passes Honda Amendment those solutions.” This amendment was previously adopted by the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) strongly supported Congressman Honda’s amendment, which will address a long-standing inequity that has left the most victimized population in the nation without access to the crime victim services and compensation that are taken for granted in much of the rest of the country. “Rep. Honda’s amendment will provide much-needed resources to crime victims on tribal lands and recognizes the Rep. Mike Honda (left) and Rep. Tom Cole (right), champions important role tribal governments play in providing services to of the tribal amendment directing 5% of the outlays from crime victims in their communities,” said Brian Cladoosby, NCAI the Crime Victims Fund to tribal governments passed by the President. House Appropriations Subcommittee. “Not all crime victims are treated the same in this country when the population with the highest rates of crime victimization receives less urrently, less than 7 than 1% of the federal Crime Victims Fund. The fact that states only C cents per $100 from passed through 0.5% of these dollars from 2010–2014 is why Indian the Crime Victims Fund tribes must have a separate funding stream.” (CVF) goes to tribal programs, Terri Henry, Co-Chair despite Congress tripling NCAI Task Force on Violence Against Women taxpayer dollars supporting Since the passage of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) that Fund. On February in 1984, the federal government has provided significant 24, Representative Mike support to crime victim services programs across the country. Honda (D-CA) worked with Unfortunately, as is too often the case, Indian country has largely Representative Tom Cole (R- OK) to pass an amendment to the House Commerce, Tribes get about $2M Justice, and Science (CJS) appropriations bill for FY 2017 directing 5% of the Crime Victims Fund to tribal governments. “I want to thank my colleagues, especially Mr. Cole, for supporting this amendment and for supporting Average $3M/year for our Native American families,” said tribes; $9M last year Rep. Honda. “The history of our nation is littered with a disgusting litany of abuse and injustice perpetrated by our government on Native Americans. Thankfully, we have begun to do About $2-3M/year for better. We have begun making tribes changes that recognize the challenges faced in Native communities, and potential solutions to them. Today, we have taken a first step toward one of / TRIBAL VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT PROGRAM | 11 Crime Victims Fund Summary been left out of this effort. disbursements and fully support efforts to of Tribal Issues Crime victims on tribal lands implement SDVCJ.” • In FY15 and FY16, still struggle to access even the Congress significantly most basic services. Over the Understanding the Crime Victims Fund increased disbursements past two years, Congress has from the Crime Victims more than tripled outlays from Congress created the CVF in 1984 Fund (CVF), which is the the Crime Victims Fund, which based on the idea that money the nation’s primary funding reflects Congress commitment government collects from criminals source for crime victim to provide services to victims should be used to help those victimized services programs and of crime. Unfortunately, tribes by crime. Unfortunately, in 1984, compensation. do not have the same access to policymakers were not thinking about the • Despite more than tripling the Crime Victims Fund as state need to create a separate formula funding disbursements to $2.6 and territorial governments, stream for Indian tribes, which is now billion, Indian tribes, who and none of these increases recognized as the best way to support experience the highest have been directed to tribal tribal governments and tribal programs. crime victimization rates governments. The inclusion of a tribal program under in the country, continue to Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), the CVF as within the Family Violence be left out of the programs Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN), and Prevention Services Act as well as funded by the CVF. and Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) the Violence Against Women Act is long • A growing number of all spoke in strong support overdue given the significant progress in organizations and groups of the Honda amendment. tribal and federal relations since 1984. have recognized the need to Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Despite significant increases in increase the access of Indian Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), and collections, Congress has imposed tribes to the lifesaving VOCA 31 other members of House a cap on how much is available from funds including: of Representatives signed a the CVF for crime victim services and • The bipartisan group letter requesting of Senators who the members of the co-sponsored the CJS Subcommittee SURVIVE Act address the long- • The bipartisan group standing disparities of Senators and which leave tribal Representatives who victims of crime supported inclusion without equal of a tribal allocation access to the in the FY 2017 CJS assistance received appropriations bills by other victims • National Task Force to in our country. End Violence Against The letter stated, Women “Since federally • National Association recognized tribes of VOCA Assistance are autonomous Administrators sovereign • American Bar governments, they Association should be able to • Attorney General's access the CVF and Task Force on protect victims of American Indian crime as can states Children Exposed to and territories. We Violence urge you to include • Office for Victims of language in the CJS Crime appropriations bill For more information, please to allow federally contact NCAI Senior Policy recognized tribal Advisor Virginia Davis at governments to [email protected] receive direct CVF

12| TRIBAL VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT PROGRAM / compensation for the past 15 years. In recent years, for very limited resources administered by the distributions from the CVF have been about $700 Department of Justice. According to DOJ, from million. Collections, however, reached as high as $2.8 2010–2014, state governments passed through 0.5% billion in 2013, leaving a balance in the fund of over of available funds to programs serving tribal victims— $13 billion. There has been considerable pressure on less than $2.5 million annually nationwide. This leaves Congress to make more of this money available for a significant unmet need in most tribal communities. crime victims, and Congress significantly increased the In 2013—the year with the highest number of state distributions for FY 2015 to $2.3 billion and increased subgrants to date—more than 60% of states with them again to $2.6 billion for FY 2016. Indian tribes did not make any subgrants. Of the 16 Unlike state and territorial governments, who states that did pass through money to tribal victim receive an annual formula distribution from the CVF, service programs, all but one passed through less Indian tribes are only able to access CVF funds via than 5% of the states’ available VOCA funds. pass-through grants from the states or by competing

CRIME VICTIMS FUND LETTER

/ TRIBAL VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT PROGRAM | 13 NIWRC makes a splash for Women’s History Month in 2016 IWRC’s Communication Officer, Princella first Native woman, Dr. Susan Picotte, from the Omaha RedCorn, interviewed with Deborah Reger Nation to graduate with a medical degree in 1889 and N on her radio broadcast show “Moccasin three modern Native healers following in her footsteps. Tracks” from WRUV, an FM community radio in Burlington, Vermont. They discussed NIWRC’s In addition to the podcast interview, NIWRC shared Women’s History Month initiatives, including a videos, updates, and a free downloadable curriculum youth and adult social media campaign nominating for the Native Daughters-Oklahoma journalism project, inspiring Native women and girls from tribal communities, in honor of the sacredness of Native which profiles Native American women and girls from women and ancestral grandmothers. NativeLove, Oklahoma. The curriculum guide is available for free NIWRC’s youth program, hosted a “Young Native to teachers, with the hope that public schools will Women Making History” photograph album on its purchase the Native Daughters magazine to teach their Facebook page. students about the experiences of Native American women. These nominations were added to the NIWRC’s “Inspiring Native Women” Facebook album, which profiles more than 66 Native indigenous women with descriptions of how they’re contributing to their communities, and which “Moccasin Tracks” read on air throughout the month of March. The “Inspiring Native Women” photograph album was created on the main NIWRC Facebook page to share stories of historic Native women who bring EXPLORE ONLINE: healing, positive change, and sovereignty to Native Listen, share or download the interview nations, in hopes of honoring their legacies, inspiring podcast here (begins at 5:55) others, and celebrating their leadership. http://moccasintracks.podomatic.com/ RedCorn and Reger also discussed an overview of entry/2016-03-17T11_36_54-07_00 the work being done by NIWRC on the policy level and implementation of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). RedCorn suggested listeners subscribe to Native Daughters-Oklahoma project or download the digital issue of Restoration Magazine to become more informed on the issues and share niwrc.org/news/niwrc-features-native- with their tribal leaders. RedCorn also talked about her daughters-oklahoma-2016-women’s- upcoming documentary “Medicine Woman” for which history-month she served as producer/director/researcher. “Medicine Woman,” which will broadcast on PBS Plus nationwide this November for Native Heritage Month, is about the 14 | WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH / New Report:Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men: 2010 Findings from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey

“We can’t say for sure [that these estimates are low], but I think that’s a reasonable hypothesis, though this survey is probably more accurate [than some others] because it asked behaviorally specific questions [using words such as punched, kicked, or slapped] rather than questions about specific crimes [assault, for example].” André B. Rosay, Director of the University of Alaska Anchorage Justice Center

n May 5, 2016, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) published its latest research O report examining the prevalence of intimate partner and sexual violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women and men. NIJ published the report written by Dr. Andre B. Rosay in May 2016. Using a large nationally representative sample from the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, the report provides estimates of sexual violence, physical violence by intimate partners, stalking, and psychological aggression by intimate partners. It also provides estimates of interracial and intraracial victimizations and it briefly examines the impact of violence. Results are expected to raise awareness and understanding about violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women and men.

VAWA 2013 authorizes Indian tribes to exercise special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction within Indian country over certain non-Indian defendants. This report increases awareness about American Indian victimization to inform policies and Key findings from the report: practices surrounding implementation of VAWA 2013 special domestic violence jurisdiction over non-Indians. In addition, the More than 4 in 5 American Indian and report highlights a critical need for further measures to intensify Alaska Native women have experienced and strengthen the response to violence against American Indian violence in their lifetime. This includes: women, and particularly Alaska Native women. • 56.1% who have experienced sexual violence NIJ is organizing several dissemination activities around the • 55.5% who have experienced report’s release that includes a number of different audiences. physical violence by an intimate “The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center hosted a partner webinar and Congressional Hill Briefing to assist in providing • 90% of women who have the information to the tribal leaders, the public, and national experienced sexual violence by policy makers,” said Lucy Simpson, Executive Director of NIWRC. an interracial intimate partner “We want to ensure that the information is available to all tribal perpetrator stakeholders.” / NIJ REPORT | 15 Awareness Campaign: A Verizon-NIWRC Partnership n 2015 Verizon partnered with NIWRC to launch the NativeLove her community and to the nation at large with awareness campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness future duties to be announced.” of domestic violence by encouraging and empowering Native youth to Balog presented Butcher with a custom- I redefine “Native love.” Through NIWRC’s extensive outreach at Native made beaded medallion necklace with community events and gatherings, we have heard from Native youth who “Native Love” on it. Butcher got tears in her eyes shared their experiences with bullying, dating violence, suicide, verbal and standing next to her mother and grandmother. emotional abuse among peers, family violence, and racism. We have also She addressed the community: “I want to do heard from adult educators, mentors, parents, advocates, and community good things, I learned how to do good things members supporting the NativeLove campaign. NativeLove is fueled by from my mother and grandmother.” prayers in action and encouragement to think about creating change through The NIWRC staff, as the NativeLove team, traditional ways of loving. It is a project people get excited about! initiated a conversation with the community about healthy relationships in their community EXPLORE ONLINE: in recognition of February’s Teen Dating Celebration highlights with videos & photos! Violence Awareness Month. Elders shared their niwrc.org/news/nativelove-2016-challenge-winners- experiences about learning about love from celebration the generation before them; how it was difficult for their parents to accept love by means of Tribal Council member and community elder, hugs and learning how to say or hear “I love Christina Morreo, opened the space followed Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians you” aloud with restraint, most likely stemming by a Cahuilla song and dance. The Torres welcomes NativeLove to help celebrate from boarding school experiences. The actual Martinez Bird Singers, led by Derek Duro, national NativeLove Challenge youth word for love in Indian, in this community and shook rattles and sang songs of celebration, winner Kristen Butcher many other tribal languages, did not directly while Kristen Butcher along with women Thermal, CA-On the evening of translate. This a recent phenomenon, as and youth in the community danced along. Wednesday, February 17, 2016, the traditionally, there was no word for love in the NIWRC staff and NIWRC Board Treasurer National Indigenous Women’s Resource Cahuilla language, explaining it as an Anglo Wendy Schlater also participated in a dance. Center (NIWRC) celebrated the Native tradition. Schlater (representing the Southwest Love youth winner Kristen Butcher in her The rest of the celebration included a region of NIWRC) brought her mother community at the Cahuilla Tribal Center on community-building exercise from infant to to the celebration and introduced the the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Nation. elder, a basketball challenge and NativeLove overall organization goals of NIWRC as “It’s not every day a national organization T-shirt giveaway, and many red road/red carpet a resource center serving tribal coalitions comes to our community,” Faith Morreo, photography moments where community and programs to end violence in our Kristen’s mother, said. “We wanted to members wrote and held a sign of what communities to the crowd. “We want to do this right for my daughter.” Morreo, NativeLove means to them. In the NativeLove challenge the stereotypes of what Native members of the Cahuilla Tribal Council , Challenge of 2015, youth posted photos and love is. What we often hear as a joke is Native and the Elders Council welcomed NIWRC videos of themselves holding signs or sharing love is a hickey and a black eye. We want staff with introductions to community what Native love meant to them. Kristen to present the opportunity for tribal people members to the celebration of her received the most social media votes during to define what Native Love is and give daughter. the 2015 challenge. The smell of pizza permeated the them a means for their voice to be heard.” community room along with a chocolate Rebecca Balog, NativeLove representative, strawberry sheet cake, drinks, and thanked the community and congratulated NativeLove-inspired decorations on the Kristen Butcher for winning the NativeLove walls and tables. Many Cahuilla leaders, challenge. “Kristen’s winning message community members, men, elders, youth, really represented exactly what NativeLove families, as well as members of Kristen is about,” Balog said, “Because of Kristen’s Butcher’s family were in attendance for a impressive leadership activities in her own total of about 50 throughout the evening. community, the NIWRC would like to name A traditional prayer by Cahuilla Elder her as our first NativeLove Youth Ambassador. The ambassador will represent NativeLove in 16 |NATIVE LOVE IS... / NATIVE LOVE 2016 by Kristen Butcher The First NativeLove Youth Ambassador

s the winner of the NativeLove challenge, I was able to attend the 2016 Denver March Powwow, held at the A Denver Coliseum on March 25–27, as the first NativeLove Youth Ambassador. It was such a memorable experience of which I hope to have many more. I am fairly new to the ambassadorship, but with time I will be able to show people the remarkable, honorable purpose of the NativeLove message by traveling to various events and tribal communities! The NativeLove organization deals with the topic of healthy relationships for Native people and was created to end domestic violence for our young people. It also encourages the positive aspects of what Native love means to our generations young and elder. To me, it means “to learn and respect other people’s cultures, as well as your own and to be proud to be indigenous.” You also must love your family, for they are the ones who give you the most support and teach you the good ways of life. My hope for this organization is to see more youth get involved and spread awareness of domestic violence and understanding healthy relationships. To me, a healthy relationship means to have trust in one another and give support to one another—not have one person dominate the relationship. There should also be good communication and absolutely NO violence or harassment in any way! This is something I hope to share with other youth and hopefully motivate them to spread this idea. At the Denver Powwow, I had the opportunity to meet with Miss Indian World, Cheyenne Brady. I got to know many things March 2016 Denver Powwow—Kristen Butcher, First about Cheyenne and her experience as Miss Indian World. We NativeLove Ambassador, and Cheyenne Brady, Miss Indian made a short video interview with her, which was a first-time World, meet to share experiences and film a video on NativeLove. experience for me. She shared her definition of Native love as “having the courage to care for one another, just as our ancestors before us did. Native love is care, compassion, and kindness with each other. We can make Native love grow stronger.” Her EXPLORE ONLINE: statement has inspired me and is something I would have talked Video Interview about as well. Another young leader I met at the Denver Powwow https://youtu.be/iFhyj5SgcS8 was Miss Denver March 2016, Makayla Sage. I also asked if she would agree to share what Native love meant to her. She wrote, “Native love is praying through hard times together, and accepting each other’s ways (tribal traditions) without question.” This is also an inspiring quote that I too hope to fulfill. I hope to get more people to learn about and support this organization. I am excited to meet more tribal youth and future generations to take. There are better things leaders. I know that this is going to be a new and great for youth to do with their lives. I thank NIWRC and experience for me, as well as a challenge. It will have a huge the NativeLove team for this opportunity, and I impact on developing my future leadership skills. I hope to hope to fulfill my goal as the NativeLove Youth inspire and motivate youth to do greater things in life than what Ambassador. people might negatively influence them to do. Things such as Alowah! (Thank you, blessings) drug and alcohol abuse, and violence are paths I don’t want the /NATIVE LOVE IS... | 17 A Mother’s View NativeLove screens videos at the by Faith Morreo Vision Maker Film Festival As a mother of two—my arch 11-13, 2016, NativeLove came to Lincoln, Nebraska, to screen son, Brandon, age 19, Native Love videos at the Sixth Biennial Vision Maker Film Festival. and daughter, Kristen, The festival showcased works by Native filmmakers with more than age 16—it is a blessing to watch your M young children grow into their own a dozen guest speakers involved with the showcased films. persons. I had blessed moments “It takes a warrior spirit to become a healer in Native America. witnessing both of my children become And for seven generations, most of those healers have been women. such special human beings, ready and Unfortunately, violence against Native women has reached epidemic willing to contribute their gifts and proportions. This is why we chose to share programming that centered on talents to the world. My son is a musician, women warriors on the opening night of the festival, “ said Shirley Sneve, up-and-coming producer, and full-time Executive Director for Vision Maker Media. “With NIWRC’s help, were able college student. My daughter has a to offer new ways of thinking about healing and offer resources that could natural love for dance and expression. help our Native community.” Kristen was given a wonderful opportunity to support the NativeLove project. She recently celebrated her 16th birthday and is a sophomore at Coachella Valley High School in Coachella, CA. A member of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Nation, she proudly acknowledges her Lakota Sioux heritage. Her given name is Tasina Ska-Win, “White Shawl Woman,” a name given to her by her late Unci, Goldie Iron Hawk. Kristen has kept busy in school by focusing on her studies, participating in the school drill team Pictured from left to right: Jordan Dresser (Arapaho) film producer of “What Was Ours,“ says and swim team, and empowering Native Love is “Universal“, Georgianna Lee (Diné), Assistant Director of Vision Maker Media and first-time mother, says Native Love is “Baby Boy!”, and Boots Kennedye (Kiowa), documentary young women through leadership. producer at Vision Maker Media, says Native Love is “Laughter“. She is the elected Tribal Youth Council Secretary and was recently crowned royalty, Miss Sukutt Menyil, representing her Desert Cahuilla Nation. We are so humbled by the opportunities she’s been given. She Native American actor Zahn hopes to share all of her experiences McClarnon (Hunkpapa Lakota) and encourage other youth to take holds up a sign saying “Native advantage of all the wonderful opportunities and reach for the stars to Love is Respect“ at the NativeLove accomplish their dreams. As a family, we booth during the Vision Maker continue to support Kristen and all tribal Film Festival. youth in becoming our future leaders. In the new film “Mekko“ by We will do as much as possible to see Native filmmaker Sterlin Harjo all our tribal communities thrive and (Seminole/Muscogee), McClarnon strengthen healthy relationships. Many plays the character “Bill“ in the thanks to the NIWRC for its support in film. helping Kristen become part of the next generation of tribal leaders!

18 |NATIVE LOVE IS... / Updates on the NativeLove Challenge Winners 2016

Congratulations to one of our NativeLoveIs Challenge Winners, Eric Woody (Navajo) for the United National Indian Tribal Youth, 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders Award!

Indian Country Today released an article listing the “25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders” award winners, Eric Woody (Navajo) being one of them! Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork. com/2016/05/19/unity-announces-25-under-25-native-youth- leaders-2016-164538. The United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY) has announced its second class of “25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders” honoring Native American and Alaska Native youth. The program, which launched in 2014, celebrates the achievements of Native youth leaders under the age of 25 who embody UNITY’s core mission of living a balanced life while developing their spiritual, mental, physical, and social well-being.

Eric Woody’s winning challenge photo (at the 2015 UNITY Conference) reads “#NativeLoveIs helping and taking care of one another :)”

NativeLove Challenge Winner (Video) Mark Renville and his mother Lynette Renville visited Washington, DC!

Renville’s prize-winning travel location was to Washington, DC, where he got to explore the nation’s capitol with his mother. He was also able to meet and have lunch with Joshuah Marshall, a project consultant and policy advisor at Tribal Tech, LLC, and visit the White House (Hello Obamas!) and the Washington Monument.

What does Native love mean to you? Challenge Winners 2016! Top Winner is Kristen Butcher from Cahuilla Nation! Kristen is Lakota of Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe & an enrolled member of Tell us what you think Native love is using the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Nation in Thermal, California. “She serves on her Tribal Youth Council of Torres Martinez. Kristen is a champion teen jingle dress dancer as well and believes in keeping her traditions and culture alive! She is learning to speak fluent Desert Cahuilla, as taught by her grand- mother, Christina Morreo. She also is a champion teen bird dancer, of our region #NativeLoveIs on social media! in Southern California. We are so pleased to hear the great news that she won the NativeLove Challenge!” -Faith Morreo, Kristen’s mother Be sure to explore out website for youth toolkits, educator resources and much more:

Willie BullBear (Lakota) http://nativelove.niwrc.org Video Winner

Eric Woody (Navajo) Photo Winner

Nicole Lucero (Navajo) Mark Renville, (Lakota) Photo Winner Photo Winner White House: United State of Women Summit s this edition of Restoration goes to print, the national Matthews, Executive Director of the Minnesota Indian movement is in motion preparing for the White Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition. House United State of Women Summit. The summit Tribal speakers for the Indigenous Lifeways: A Key to A agenda is designed to address six key gender Personal Economy and Safety include Deborah Parker, equality issues, including economic empowerment, health and wellness, educational opportunity, violence against women, entrepreneurship and innovation, and leadership and civic engagement. The goal of the summit is to rally together the national movement to celebrate its achievements and determine how it will take theunitedstateofwomen.org action to continue moving forward. Terri Henry, Co-Chair of the NCAI Task Force on Violence Against Women, served as the lead coordinator for the tribal program components and attendance. “We are excited and Former Vice Chair, Tulalip Tribe; Victoria Hykes Steere, hopeful the summit will provide the opportunity for tribal Professor, Alaska Pacific University; and Gay Kingman, leadership, advocates, and practitioners to further develop Executive Director, Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association. the relationship of Native women to other women in the During the closing panel, Honorable Abby Abinanti, Chief United States. More than 60 tribal participants will attend the Judge, Yurok Tribe, Co-Chair California Tribal Court/State summit from across the United States, including the lower 48 Court Forum and Board President, Tribal Law and Policy and Alaska.” Institute, will speak. On Tuesday evening, Sliver of a Full Moon The summit will be an important moment for both women will be performed at the National Museum of the American and girls, domestically and internationally, and will feature Indian as the key cultural component of the summit events. speakers who will both educate and inspire. American “It will be an important moment in the history of the Indian and Alaska Native speakers are included throughout national movement for the safety of Native women and all the summit agenda and post-summit events. Honorable the women of this nation,” said Lucy Simpson, Executive Chief Lynn Malerba, Mohegan Tribe, will provide one of the Director of the NIWRC. opening Ignite plenaries on tribal sovereignty. Tribal speakers for the Criminal Justice Reform in American Indian Nations and Alaska Native Villages include Honorable Melissa L. Pope, Chief Judge, Nottawaseppi Band of Huron Indians; Mary Kathryn Nagle, Partner, Pipestem Law; Tami Jerue, Executive Director of the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center; and Michelle Demmert, Chief Judge Tlingit-Haida Court. Tribal speakers for the Protections for the Next Generation of Native Youth include Honorable Theresa Pouley, Judge, Colville Tribal Court and Commissioner, Indian Law and Order Commission; Cherrah Giles, Board President of NIWRC and former Secretary, Dept. of Community and Human Services, Muscogee Creek Nation; and Nicole

20 |UNITED STATE OF WOMEN/ Sexual Assault Awareness at the Academy Awards

Musical artist Lady Gaga stands with 50 survivors of sexual assaul on stage at the 88th Academy Awards after her performance of “Til It Happens to You”, from the documentary The Hunting Ground. (Screen grab from SeeActStop.org)

n Sunday, February 28, 2016, cover-ups by campus officials and the 88th Academy Awards, at police, but survivors continue to O the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, pursue their education and fight for California, presented a musical changes in campus policies” (www. performance of “Til It Happens to You” thehuntinggroundfilm.com). by artist Lady Gaga. The song was a Although the Oscar went to Spectre’s 2015 Oscar nominee for the Music “Writing’s on the Wall” that night, (Original Song) category, with music Lady Gaga’s live performance of “Til and lyric by Diane Warren and Lady It Happens to You” at the awards Gaga (both survivors of sexual assault). ceremony stole the show. As Lady Gaga This was the first Academy Award gave a soulful performance on piano, nomination for Lady Gaga. over 50 survivors of sexual assault The song was featured in The appeared on stage to help her finish Hunting Ground, a documentary about the song. The survivors on stage had college campus rape that has made written on their arms “Not Your Fault,” a name among the sexual assault and helped raise public awareness of community. “With studies indicating sexual assault. that 16–20% of women are sexually See Act Stop and No More assaulted while attending college in the partnered with The Hunting Ground United States, more and more survivors film, promoting the Lady Gaga awards are speaking about their experiences. show performance and offering As colleges strive to protect their sexual assault resources for audience brands and financial stability, members. Explore No More’s resources assault victims often experience at: http://nomore.org/toolbox/ /ACADEMY AWARDS | 21 Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center 2013–2016 federal government conduct business. October 2013 Launch of the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center Project

In May 2013, in partnership with these advocates, NIWRC applied for and subsequently received in October 2013, a technical assistance grant from the OVW to develop the Alaska Native Women’s Yup’ik Women’s Coalition member Alexandra Waska (left) and Kotzebue Elder Mary Anne Wilson (right) Resource Center and look forward to the next session of the Nana Regional meeting. develop and provide technical Violence Against Women (OVW), assistance and training to meet Background the unique needs of Alaska Native Since 2011, the National U.S. Dept. of Justice, released their Technical Assistance (TA) tribal governments addressing Indigenous Women’s Program solicitation, which violence against women. Resource Center (NIWRC) included the following purpose Over the last 4.5 years, has worked closely with area that OVW was interested in through this partnership and our joint advocacy efforts, we have a group of long-time funding: “Develop and implement culturally specific training and accomplished much change, village-based Alaska technical assistance addressing including but not limited to the Native advocates to the unique challenges that Alaska following, and are committed to address the unique Native villages experience when continuing long-term organizing efforts: challenges Alaska tribes addressing and responding to sexual assault, domestic violence, face addressing violence dating violence, and stalking.” 1) Developed an Alaska Native against women, including As a result of more than 15 Women’s Resource Center as a active participation in the years of advocacy by Alaska central point of contact nationally on domestic violence and annual government-to- Native advocates and tribes for the need for technical assistance violence against women issues. government consultation and training that was designed by mandated by the Violence and for Alaska Natives addressing 2) Developed a community Against Women Act 2005. violence against women, OVW engagement video curriculum included this purpose area in rooted in Yup’ik, Athabascan, This partnership has focused their TA solicitation. This is the Tlingit, and Inupiaq voices, on discussing current services, only instance—since OVW opened languages, and teachings to injustices, and recommendations its doors in 1995—in which OVW support the development of for addressing Alaska tribal solicits TA to address the needs of local village-based responses to governments’ needs and one state/region. Most, if not all, domestic violence and violence advocating for increased of the TA that OVW has funded against women. Ongoing victim safety and offender has been national in scope, so funding will support continued accountability. In the Spring of tribes and advocates changed development of the curriculum to 2013, the Office on the way that OVW and the cover all Alaska Native peoples. 22 |AKNWRC/ 3) Organized and conducted four community • National Council of Juvenile and Family Court engagement sessions in the Villages of Emmonak Judges: Alaska Native Women’s Community (April 2015), Kake (April 2015), Anvik (May 2015), and Conversation on Child Protection and Custody in Kotzebue (April 2016) using the curriculum. Over 27 the Context of Domestic Violence, May 2015 villages participated in these four sessions. • Women Are Sacred Conference, June 2015 • NIWRC Leadership Institute for Tribal Domestic 4) Outreached to Alaska tribes informing them of Violence & Sexual Assault Coalitions: Women of laws, policies, and available resources addressing Resistance…Moving in Solidarity to End Violence violence against women, including the significance Against Women, September 2015 of repealing Section 910 in VAWA 2013 and securing • National American Indian Court Judges historic participation in the annual VAWA Consultation Association Annual Conference, October 2015 by the largest number of tribes from any region of the • OVW Tribal Government Program Grantees United States—11 Alaska tribes provided oral testimony Orientation, February 2016 at the annual USDOJ VAWA Consultation held • National Congress of American Indians Task Force, November 2015, and at least 13 tribes provided written 2011–2016 testimony by January 2016. 7) Expressed concerns to the OVW regarding the 5) Participated at annual conventions of the Alaska State of Alaska’s lack of consultation and coordination Federation of Natives since 2013 and supported the with Alaska tribal governments in the development of passage of historic resolutions addressing these crimes their STOP Violence Against Women Grant three-year calling for specific actions by tribes and state and implementation plan as required by VAWA 2013. federal governments. 8) Increased awareness of the challenges faced by 6) Presented at various events across the country to Alaska tribes addressing violence against women with increase awareness of the challenges faced by Alaska the United Nations (UN) through a partnership with tribes addressing violence against women, including, the Indian Law Resource Center by participating at UN but not limited to: sessions including but not limited to the Commission • Domestic Violence Resource Network Meeting, on the Status of Women and World Conference on July 2013 Indigenous Peoples, as well as inclusion of voices of • Unity Mtg. to Increase the Safety of Alaska Native survivors and advocates in the play Sliver of a Full Women, October 2013 Moon documenting the grassroots movement that • NIWRC Native Women’s Leadership Institute II: restored the authority of Indian tribes over non-Indian A Strategic Discussion on a National Platform abusers to protect women on tribal lands, or Section to Increase the Safety of Native Women and 904, Title IX of VAWA 2013. Sovereignty of Indian Tribes, April 2014

/AKNWRC | 23 Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center Project Committee members:

WESTERN REGION – Yup’ik • Joann Horn (Yup’ik speaker), Emmonak Women’s Shelter in the Village of Emmonak • Lynn Hootch (Yup’ik speaker), Yup’ik Women’s Coalition • Priscilla Kameroff (Yup’ik speaker), Yup’ik Women’s Coalition

INTERIOR REGION – Athabascan • Nettie Warbelow (Native speaker), Village of Tetlin • Tamra “Tami” Truett Jerue (Native speaker), Village of Anvik

SOUTHEAST REGION – Tlingit • Candy Keown, Tlingit – Hoonah Indian Association • Dawn Jackson, Tlingit – Organized Village of Kake • Isabel Mills, Tlingit – Organized Village of Kake • Heidi Vantrease, Tlingit – Organized Village of Kake • Michelle Demmert, Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes

NORTHERN REGION – Inupiaq • Clarice Akootchook (Native speaker), Inupiaq – Village of Kaktovik • Shirley Moses (Native speaker), Inupiaq • Tia Holley, Inupiaq • Roberta Moto, Inupiaq – Maniilaq Association • Shylena Monroe, Inupiaq – Maniilaq Family Crisis Center • Aucha Kameroff, Yup’ik – Division of Juvenile Justice, Kotzebue District

Members of the Nana Regional planning committee Tasha Rita Bird (left) and Aucha Kameroff (center) sharing how the curriculum is indigenous to Alaska Native peoples based on their voices, teachings, and languages.

For more information, please contact:

Tami Jerue, Director, Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center [email protected]

Paula Julian, NIWRC Program Specialist [email protected], 760-703-2784

24 |AKNWRC/ Kotzebue Regional

Developing an Indigenous Curriculum: “This curriculum was one of the first Kotzebue, Nana Regional projects of the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center (AKNWRC). We worked on it “We have had so many deaths here, and the last two years and when it came time to we are just quiet about it. It’s time not to test it, the villages of Emmonak, Anvik, and be quiet. It’s time to say things,” said Aucha Kake all invited us to come to their villages. Kameroff, Kotzebue District Supervisor, This training in Kotzebue is the fourth time State of Alaska, Division of Juvenile Justice. we are testing the curriculum,” said Tami “Enough is enough. We have to stop it.” Jerue, Director of the AKNWRC.

On April 19, 2016, over 50 villagers from The Alaska Native domestic violence 11 Inupiaq Villages in the northwest artic curriculum is the first indigenous curriculum borough gathered together for the first specifically funded by the Office on Violence Nana Regional training on violence against Against Women for Alaska Native villages. Inupiaq women. On that day, the ice-covered “I have been involved in this work for over Kotzebue Sound next to the Nullagvik Hotel 30 years. We began in the late ’70s, and in provided a calm view from the meeting my heart I always wanted an Alaska Native room where the villagers discussed hard curriculum based on our lives and our issues. It was a coming together, a sharing needs,” said Lynn Hootch, Director of Yup’ik of thoughts and understandings of domestic Women’s Coalition. “We use the curriculum violence as Inupiaq peoples. to facilitate a process within villages to

/KOTZEBUE | 25 create pathways to safety and increase helping women and men going through accountability of abusers by the village.” such abuse,” said Shylena Monroe, Director of the Maniilaq Family Crisis Center, and The goal of the curriculum is to increase member of the local planning committee at the tribal level the village response. The for the Nana Regional. “The shelter helps first day is focused on increasing the village all the villages around Kotzebue and also understanding of domestic violence. The Point Hope. We are here for the victims second day is dedicated to villages working and can help them with protective orders, together to discuss how to increase safety transporting victims to their home village, or for victims and accountability for abusers. just to talk. As part of the shelter, I am also At the end of the two days, the villages on the Kotzebue Sexual Assault Response compile a list of ways to increase their Team and advocate for victims of sexual response to domestic violence. assault. Remember you have the right to say no. You never owe anyone sex; your body is “The foundation of our curriculum on your body.” violence against women is Native and indigenous to Alaska. The core principles “Some of the barriers we face in the are the voices of our people, the teachings villages are silence and the perspective of of our people, and the languages of ‘mind your own business.’ We cannot let our people,” said Tami Jerue. “So, for people blame the victim. We need to teach example, when we introduce ourselves our traditional ways,” said Shirley Moses to in our language, it is not just a word but the participants of the training. “Sometimes the meaning to one’s name in the Native people do not want to report abuse, but if language of the person.” we as Alaska Natives stand up and speak up, victims may feel stronger. This is the first Focus on the Impact of Domestic Violence on the Victim

The curriculum drawing on the voices of survivors breaks away from a legal or clinical approach and is based on the reality of the lives of Alaska Native peoples. “I am a survivor of domestic violence. I went through it for many years until I finally decided I was not going to take it anymore,” said Joann Horn, Director of the Emmonak Women’s Shelter and Co- Chair of the AKNWRC. “I was in and out of the shelter program for many years with my kids, and I didn’t want them to see me being abused. So I said I am not going to take it no more. I know this is a hard topic, but you don’t have to take it.”

The traditional teachings of the Inupiaq people were hung on the wall above the participants as they discussed the hard issues of addressing domestic violence in their villages. “In the old days, there were consequences for abuse. Boys were taught the traditional way of respect, as were girls. These were rites of passage,” said Shirley Moses, Co-Chair of the AKNWRC.

“I have been abused and because of my experience I felt I could make a difference

26 |KOTZEBUE/ such training for the Nana region, but you to share their thoughts on domestic violence have a lot here and should build on these as Inupiaq people and other Alaska Natives. resources. You have your elders and the “The small-group discussions give everyone shelter program.” the opportunity to share their ideas about the effects of domestic violence on the Joining Together to Share Our Thoughts victim, the abuser, and the impact of About Domestic Violence as Native domestic violence on our villages,” said Peoples Shylena Monroe.

The AKNWRC partners with the After the small-group discussion, host village and forms a local planning everyone comes together in a large group committee to develop an agenda specifically to hear the reports from the small-group designed for the village or region. The local discussions. The facilitator or volunteer from planning committee for the Nana Regional each small group provides the report from included the Maniilaq Association and the their group and facilitates the large-group Maniilaq Family Crisis Center. Local villagers discussion. The reports give everyone the co-present during every session with opportunity to share their ideas as Inupiaqs members of the curriculum project. on the effects of domestic violence on the victims and the village, and the effects of Over 50% of the two-day curriculum is the violence of the abuser. spent in small-group discussions. The goal of these sessions is to discuss domestic Looking Toward the Future Safety for violence as indigenous to the people of the Victims, the Village, and Holding Abusers region hosting the curriculum training. For Responsible the Nana Regional, it was a time for villagers Advocates for the safety of women have worked nationally for over three decades to end domestic violence. These efforts include improving services, policies, and laws at the village, state, federal, and international levels. Alaska Native advocates also worked hard in their villages to help their sisters in need of safety. The first Native shelter for women in Alaska was the Emmonak Women’s Shelter.

“We are hoping to have a follow-up to this regional next year,” said Roberta Moto of the Maniilaq Association. “It will be a time when we can come back together and share changes that were made and other issues to be addressed.”

“In 2013, 10 of us said we need and should have a resource center for Alaska Natives because Alaska has 229 tribes and the highest rates of domestic violence. So we started with 10 people, worked with our sister organization, the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, and gave birth to our organization—the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center. The curriculum works well because it was created by and for our Alaska Native peoples.”

/KOTZEBUE | 27 The Southwest Indigenous Women’s Coalition (SWIWC) Conference he Southwest Indigenous Women’s Coalition (SWIWC), a nonprofit tribal domestic and sexual violence coalition located in Mesa, Arizona, held its fifth statewide T conference, Arizona Native Peoples Gathering for Healthy Relations: Striving for and Achieving Safety, Healing, and Justice for All Our Relations, on April 26–28, 2016. This year’s conference included tracks designed to address the youth, elders, LGBTQ community, violence against women, and engaging men in the movement.

Over 150 people from across the state attended the conference and participated in the general sessions, workshops, and SWIWC Council of Women and staff (from left to right): Lorena Halwood, Carrie Imus, Mary Howe, Veronica Hunter, Geraldine Laughter, Leanne Guy, and Tania Harvey evening events. Of particular significance was the Eleanor E. Roehrig Advocate Award ceremony, which recognized This conference also marked the first time and honored five tribal advocates for their that the LGBTQ community was meaningfully outstanding advocacy for and diligent included in the planning and implementation commitment to victims/survivors of domestic of this conference. SWIWC’s LGBTQ Advisory and sexual violence in their respective Council members were on the conference communities. planning committee and served as plenary and workshop speakers. It is through their guidance and leadership that SWIWC board and staff is learning and growing and helping to increase the capacity of tribes to better address and respond to the LGBTQ community.

While at the conference, members of the LGBTQ Advisory Council used the opportunity to hold a meeting. It is here that they developed the following mission statement: “To educate, support, and empower Native communities for increased safety, understanding, healing, justice, and resources for the LGBTQ community.” Vanessa Losey and Honor Fisher were elected to serve as co-chairs for the Advisory Council.

For SWIWC, this conference was a success,

Awardees of the Eleanor E. Roehrig Advocate Award (from left to right): not only because of the number of people Christine Thompson, Lorraine Woodie, Veronica Hunter, and Verna Joey who attended, or the wonderful speakers (Mattee Jim not pictured).

28 |SWIWC/ “Speaking as a victim advocate, “I’m very grateful and the Native American population excited to be part of the has the highest numbers across SWIWC LGBTQ Advisory the board when it comes Council. We hope to to violence. Being part of bring awareness, training, a smaller community and resources, and better being LGBTQ increase understanding of our the danger. It is with this LGBTQ community and in mind that we would the problems we face daily like to bring awareness and usually in silence. I and provide training look forward to seeing this and resources to help Council grow and make a better serve the LGBTQ big impact on the quality community. In coming to of care and services for our the table, each of us has LGBTQ members.” something to contribute to this ~ Vanessa Losey (at left in conversation.” picture) ~Honor Fisher (at right in picture) who presented, or the outstanding planning and bravely shared their journey to healing, committee and volunteers who helped their appreciation for the opportunity to throughout, but mainly because it touched learn more about domestic and sexual the hearts of those who attended. violence, their gratitude for the inclusion of the LGBTQ community, their commitment Our hearts were opened when we listened to being more responsive to the LGBTQ to and felt the heartbreaking and beautiful community, and from the mom who expressed life journeys of Nicholas Metcalf and Vanessa her understanding and acknowledgment of Losey; saw the stunned and happy faces of her son to whom she would return home and the Eleanor E. Roehrig awardees; let loose tell that she accepts him as he is. at the drag show; danced and sweated at the Zumba session; and during the closing Sacred we are! session, when we listened to those who stood

SWIWC LGBTQ Advisory Council meeting in Mesa (from left to right, top to bottom): Nicholas Metcalf, Trudie Jackson, Kurt Begaye, Lenny End of conference wave! Hayes, Elton Naswood, Vanessa Losey, Leanne Guy, and Honor Fisher. Members of the Advisory Council not pictured: Mattee Jim, Jodi Gonzales, Vonda Beecher, Miranda George, Violet Parker, Ian Austin /SWIWC| 29 June 2016 International Update By Jana L. Walker, Karla General & Christopher Foley Attorneys, Indian Law Resource Center

Implementing Decisions support among states and of the World Conference on UN actors. Meetings with Indigenous People delegates of the European At the 2014 World Union, Canada, Mexico, and Conference on Indigenous the United States and key Peoples, over 150 indigenous UN actors and staff yielded nations and Native women’s important discussions. On and tribal organizations March 22, these organizations secured key commitments joined with the Native Women’s from the UN and its member Association of Canada to states to implement the UN co-sponsor a parallel event Declaration on the Rights of on indigenous women’s Indigenous Peoples. States movements to end violence, committed to bring greater featuring speakers from the UN study, attention, and action lower 48 states (Terri Henry), to address the epidemic of Alaska (Tami Truett Jerue), and violence against indigenous Canada (Dawn Lavell-Harvard). women, to consider a body The event examined strategies to implement and monitor indigenous women in the the UN Declaration, and to United States and Canada have create new rules for indigenous used to advocate for social governments to participate in changes and legal reforms to UN processes. Work to realize restore safety in their Native these commitments is ongoing. nations and to advance the rights of indigenous peoples Commission on the Status and women affirmed in the of Women, 60th Session, UN Declaration. The event was March 2016 attended by a capacity crowd. In March, representatives Supporting organizations from the Indian Law Resource included the Coalition to Center, Alaska Native Stop Violence Against Native Women’s Resource Center, Women, Minnesota Indian National Indigenous Women’s Women’s Sexual Assault Resource Center, and the Coalition, Montana Native NCAI Task Force on Violence Women’s Coalition, Native Against Women attended the Women’s Coalition, Southwest Commission’s 60th session Indigenous Women’s Co-sponsors of the March 22nd parallel event shared strategies of in New York City to press for Coalition, Strong Hearted indigenous women for social change: Dawn Lavell-Harvard, President Native Women’s Association of Canada (top), and Tami Truett Jerue, action to end violence against Native Women’s Coalition, Inc., Director, Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center (bottom). indigenous women and build Uniting Three Fires Against 30 |INTERNATIONAL/ In front of the United Nations Headquarters in New York City (from left to right): Indian Law Resource Center’s Karla General and Christopher Foley; Paula Julian (NIWRC); Jana Walker (ILRC) and Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center’s Tami Jerue.

31 Violence, and Wabanaki impact on their human Women’s Coalition. rights and fundamental freedoms, and which they NCAI, the Native are disproportionately American Rights Fund, and vulnerable to, and that the Indian Law Resource constitutes a major Center, with the support of impediment to indigenous the Alaska Native Women’s women’s full, equal, and Resource Center, Alliance effective participation in of Tribal Coalitions to End society, the economy, and Violence, Anvik Village political decision making.” Council, Clan Star, Inc., These actions shine a National Indigenous spotlight on violence Women’s Resource Center, against against indigenous Native Women’s Coalition, women and show the Sacred Hoop Coalition, Commission is ready to Southwest Indigenous take action to address the Women’s Coalition, Strong crisis in 2017 and beyond. Hearted Native Women’s Coalition, and Women Expert Workshop Spirit Coalition, submitted “Violence against our indigenous women and girls is a violation of our human On April 4–5, an ex a written statement urging rights. It is endemic and a crisis, and it must be stopped now. Today, we are calling pert workshop was the Commission to address on the Commission on the Status of Women to respond to this global human rights convened in Geneva to crisis.” —Terri Henry, Board President, Indian Law Resource Center the epidemic of violence review the mandate of against indigenous women the Expert Mechanism on in the United States, and the Rights of Indigenous calling for special attention Peoples so it will be able to the situation of Alaska to implement and monitor Native women in rural states’ compliance with villages who have reported the UN Declaration. rates of domestic violence Consistent with the UN up to 10 times higher than Declaration, the body must in the rest of the United pay particular attention to States and physical assault the rights of indigenous rates up to 12 times higher. women in order to ensure that states take measures, At the session’s end, the in conjunction with Commission approved a indigenous peoples, so resolution acknowledging that indigenous women its intention to address the and children enjoy the issue of the empowerment full protection against all of indigenous women as forms of violence and a focus area in 2017, as discrimination. The Office of called for by the World the High Commissioner for Conference Outcome Human Rights is preparing Document. Additionally, a report of the results of ¶ 23 of the Commission’s the workshop that will be Agreed Conclusions submitted to the Human for the session urges Rights Council in June governments at all levels, and discussed during the the UN system, and other Expert Mechanism’s session actors to “prevent and in July. The Human Rights eliminate discrimination Council may then consider and violence against a resolution to improve the indigenous women and Expert Mechanism as early girls which has a negative as its September session.

32 |INTERNATIONAL/ UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Violence Against Women and of the UN Working Group on The Permanent Forum, an advisory body to the UN Economic discrimination against women, which visited the United States and Social Council, met for its annual session in New York on in 2015. The Council will hold its annual full-day discussion May 9–20. Further information is available at: https://www. on women’s rights and consider a resolution on preventing un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/unpfii- and responding to violence against indigenous women. The sessions-2/unpfii-fifteenth-session.html Permanent Mission of Canada held an informal consultation on the draft resolution in Geneva in March, and the Indian Looking Ahead: Summer and Fall 2016 Law Resource Center offered several recommendations Consultations on Indigenous Participation in the UN including: In the World Conference Outcome Document states • The Office of the High Commissioner prepares a report committed to consider “ways to enable the participation to the Council following its half-day panel on violence of indigenous peoples’ representatives and institutions in against indigenous women and girls in September; meetings of relevant UN bodies on issues affecting them.” • The Council requests a Secretary-General’s report In December 2015, the UN General Assembly requested on how to prevent and eliminate violence against its President to conduct consultations with indigenous indigenous women and girls; and peoples’ representatives and institutions, UN member • The Council invites the Secretary-General to convene a states, and relevant UN mechanisms on ways to enable high-level panel on intensifying efforts, in cooperation such participation. Consultations take place in New York on with indigenous peoples, to prevent and eliminate all May 11, May 18, and June 30, 2016. More information is forms of violence and discrimination against indigenous available here: https://www.un.org/development/desa/ women and girls during the UN’s high-level event indigenouspeoples/participation-of-indigenous-peoples- to mark the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the at-the-united-nations.html Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2017.

Human Rights Council to Meet in Geneva During the Human Rights Council’s 33rd session on On June 13–July 1, 2016, the Human Rights Council’s September 12–30, 2016, a significant panel discussion on the 32nd session will take place in Geneva where it is expected causes and consequences of violence against indigenous to consider the reports of the Special Rapporteur on women and girls will take place. Due in large part to the

Meeting with Greg Dempsey, Mission of Canada. From left to right: Greg Dempsey (Second Secretary, Human Rights & Social Affairs); Indian Law Resource Center’s Jana Walker and Karla General; Paula Julian (NIWRC); Christopher Foley (ILRC) and Suzanne Cooper (Mission of Canada).

/INTERNATIONAL | 33 efforts of indigenous women’s organizations, the World Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Conference Outcome Document “invited the Human Rights Indigenous Peoples Council to consider examining the causes and consequences The Organization of American States, a regional of violence against indigenous women and girls.” In organization comprised of all 35 countries of the Americas, response to continued advocacy by indigenous women’s is continuing to negotiate with indigenous peoples on a organizations, the Council decided to accept the Outcome draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Document’s invitation by holding this half-day panel. The Peoples. If consensus is reached on the remaining articles, the panel will provide indigenous women with an important Declaration may be adopted by the OAS General Assembly platform to inform countries and the UN about the scope as early as the 46th session on June 13–15, 2016, in the and severity of violence against indigenous women, and to Dominican Republic. Learn more at: make recommendations to the UN and its member states for http://indianlaw.org/adrip/home actions to address this epidemic. Learn more at: www.ohchr. org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/HRCIndex.aspx (Picture below) Meeting with the Division for Social Policy and Development at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. From left to right: Staff member at UN; Paula Julian (NIWRC); ILRC’s Karla General and Christopher Foley; Broddi Sigurðarson (Social Affair Officer, Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues); Terri Henry (NCAI); Jana Walker (ILRC); Chandra Roy- Henriksen (Chief, Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues); Tami Jerue (AKWRC); and NIWRC’s Jax Agtuca.

(Picture above) Meeting with Laurie Phipps, United States delegate. From left to right: Jana Walker (ILRC); Tami Jerue (AKWRC); Paula Julian (NIWRC); Laurie Phipps (US Delegate); and ILRC’s Christopher Foley and Karla General.

Meeting with the European Union delegate Charles Whiteley. Selfie moment with Native Women’s Association of Canada, From left to right: Paula Julian (NIWRC); Jana Walker (ILRC); National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, Indian Law Charles Whiteley (First Counsellor, Head of Section Human Rights & Social Affairs); European Union staff; ILRC’s Christopher Resource Center, National Congress of American Indians, Foley and Karla General. Alaska Women’s Resource Center, and Erica Tremblay! 34 |INTERNATIONAL/ WEBINAR SCHEDULE: Be sure to register and mark your calendars to keep up July 2016 to date with the latest news and resource information to • Wednesday, July 20th 2016 at 1:00-2:30pm end gender-based violence in your tribal community. MDT- Wisdom/Voices of Our Elders (Series II) Webinars offer video-streaming training material through live interactive platform and include special guests with August 2016 downloadable handout resource material. • August 2016- Restoration of Family Values and Healthy Community Characteristics (In Can’t make a scheduled webinar? No problem, all honor of Family Heritage month, this webinar webinars are recorded and archived and available for recording will be available all through the the public! Please visit www.niwrc.org/events to register, month of August) watch recorded webinars and keep be on the lookout for • Wednesday, August 17th, 2016 at 1:00-2:30pm new additions. We will announce availability of following MDT- Wisdom/Voices of Our Elders (Series III) previously recorded webinars before respective awareness months. October 2016 • October 2016- Why Women Stay/Why Women Leave DVAM (In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month) EXPLORE ONLINE: • October 2016- Substance Abuse and Domestic niwrc.org/events?field_event_ Violence: What’s the Connection? (In honor of type_tid=11 Substance Abuse Prevention Month)

November 2016 • November 2016- Women Are Sacred: Our Grandmother’s Stories and the Movement to bring Safety to Native Nations (In honor of Native American Heritage Month)

/WEBINAR | 35 Support the VAWA

n the fall of 2015, the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, Inc. (NIWRC) launched the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Sovereignty I Initiative, a project focusing on the defense of the constitutionality and functionality of all VAWA tribal provisions. The VAWA Sovereignty Initiative is well underway with the filing of three amicus briefs in cases under review before the United States Supreme Court. In addition, under this initiative the first national social justice action was held on the steps of the United States Supreme Court.

“We hope that through the VAWA Sovereignty Initiative, NIWRC can continue to protect the legal and policy gains we have achieved through VAWA.”

Cherrah Giles NIWRC Board President

This initiative is the NIWRC’s national campaign to defend the victories won under VAWA 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2013. In partnership with Pipestem Law, the initiative will also champion other important advancements in federal law and policy related to the protection of Native women and children.

“For far too long, our voices have been silenced. We will raise our voices within the Court and this country to increase protections for Native women and defend the sovereignty of Indian nations.”

Lucy Rain Simpson NIWRC Executive Director

36 |VAWA SI/ Sovereignty Initiative Amicus Briefs and Social Justice Action

Dollar General Corporation v. Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians On October 22, 2015, NIWRC filed an amicus brief in the Dollar General case calling on the United States Supreme Court to uphold the authority of tribes to exercise civil jurisdiction over non-Indians who sexually assault and abuse Native women and children on tribal lands.

Voisine v. United States On January 25, 2016, NIWRC filed an amicus brief in support of the United States Department of Justice, asking the United States Supreme Court to affirm the First Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision in the Voisine case. NIWRC and its fellow amici urged the Supreme Court to uphold the application of the federal firearms prohibition to individuals who have been convicted of domestic violence crimes against Native women.

United States v. Bryant case On February 1, 2016, the NIWRC filed an amicus brief to support the United States’ position in the Bryant case. The brief argues that Congress did not intend to make the application of the habitual offender provision dependent on whether the defendant in the underlying tribal court domestic violence conviction received assistance of counsel. It further advocates that federal courts have no authority to dictate to tribal governments how they will treat their own members in their respective tribal courts.

In addition to the above amicus brief, the now historic Quilt Walk for Justice was held on December 7, 2015, during the oral arguments in the Dollar General case. NIWRC partnered with the Monument Quilt Project, FORCE Upsetting Rape Culture, NCAI, and Indian Law Resource Center to organize the Walk for Justice on the steps of the Supreme Court during the oral arguments in the case. The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomie and Tulalip Indian Tribes joined as partners for the historic walk. Over 400 people joined the national walk and over a million people were reached through a social media Thunder Clap that occurred as the walk began.

/VAWA SI | 37 Why are these cases important to Native women and Indian nations? “Just like people everywhere, tribal members go to the court where they live. Dollar General would force Native women to drive hours away from their homes and from where the assault occurred to the nearest state court. A citizen of my nation, Navajo Nation, living in Kayenta, Arizona, would have to travel 173.1 miles (2 hours, 48 minutes) to the nearest state court for Arizona’s Navajo County, located in Holbrook, Arizona. An average person cannot pay the added expenses like gas or hotel to make these trips, let alone take time off from work needed to drive to a state court.” Leanne Guy NIWRC Board Member

Dollar General Corporation v. Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians

The Supreme Court is reviewing the Dollar Following the alleged assault on the youth, General argument that the Mississippi Band of he and his parents brought an action against Choctaw tribal court could not exercise jurisdiction Dollar General in tribal court, seeking monetary over it because the defendant is a non-Indian. The compensation for pain and suffering to cover the case concerns the claims brought by two parents youth’s medical and trauma recovery expenses. whose child, a citizen of the tribe, was allegedly Dollar General lost this argument in the Mississippi sexually assaulted by Dollar General’s store Choctaw Supreme Court, the United States District supervisor when he was working at the store. The Court, Southern District of Mississippi, and the Fifth store is located on tribal trust land leased to Dollar Circuit Court of Appeals. All of these lower courts General. It agreed to participate in a youth job- agreed with the tribe and concluded that the tribal training program operated by the Mississippi Band court could exercise jurisdiction over Dollar General. of Choctaw Indians. Dollar General filed an appeal with the United States Supreme Court.

38 |VAWA SI/ “Given the high rates of abuse, violence, and homicide that Native women experience, the presence of a gun in the home of an individual convicted of abusing a Native woman creates a serious threat that the Native woman—or her children—will be killed.” Wendy Schlater NIWRC Board Member

Voisine v. United States The Supreme Court’s decision in this case has the Petitioners, Voisine and Armstrong, however, potential to uphold, or undermine, significant federal have asked the Supreme Court to overturn the First protections for survivors of domestic violence. 18 Circuit’s decision and conclude that Congress did U.S.C. § 922(g)(9), also known as the Lautenberg not intend for § 922(g)(9)’s firearms prohibition to Amendment, prohibits individuals convicted of a apply to criminals convicted of reckless domestic “misdemeanor crime of domestic violence” from violence crimes. According to the petitioners, possessing or trading firearms and/or ammunition. In only those domestic violence crimes that are Voisine, the First Circuit concluded that in enacting the prosecuted as having been committed “knowingly” federal firearms prohibition in 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9), or “intentionally” should fall under the ambit of Congress intended to prohibit all individuals convicted Congress’ federal firearms prohibition. Because of domestic violence crimes in federal, state, or tribal many tribes prosecute reckless domestic violence courts from purchasing and/or possessing firearms— crimes, excluding reckless crimes from the reach of regardless of whether their conviction is labeled as a § 922(g)(9) will place a large number of Native “reckless” or “intentional” crime. women in grave danger.

“In 2005, we worked to educate Congress of the need for this provision. The protections in the habitual offender provision are critical to ensuring the safety of Native women. Our women are battered and abused by their intimate partners at rates higher than any other population in the United States.”

Carmen O’Leary, NIWRC Board Member and Executive Director of the Native Women’s Society of the Great Plains

United States v. Bryant The Bryant case has the potential to find 1998, March 2002, September 2002, July 2003, and unconstitutional a key section of the Safety for Indian Feburary 2005. Women title of VAWA 2005. The section under Until this provision was enacted, no sovereign review created a federal domestic violence habitual government had the authority to sentence a perpetrator offender statute providing enhanced penalties for to a term of more than one year for his repeated acts repeat DV offenders such as Bryant. In addition of domestic violence. The question under review is to his most recent 2011 conviction in the United whether the federal government’s prosecution of Bryant States District Court, District of Montana, Bryant was is constitutional based on the fact that his prior tribal convicted of committing crimes of domestic violence court convictions for misdemeanor domestic violence in January 1998, July crimes did not provide indigent counsel.

/VAWA SI | 39 NIWRC updates website to be Donating to the VAWA accessible on mobile devices Sovereignty Initiative

he National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) and T Pipestem Law have joined forces to establish the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Sovereignty Initiative, a project focusing on the defense of the constitutionality and functionality of all VAWA tribal provisions. The VAWA Sovereignty Initiative is the NIWRC’s next step forward in defending the 2013 VAWA reauthorization and other important he National Indigenous Women’s Resource advancements in federal law and policy Center (NIWRC) went live with a newly designed related to the protection of Native women website on Friday, April 1, 2016. Explore press and children. Treleases, videos, photographs, and audio from some of NIWRC’s recent events. There is reason for all of Indian country to be concerned: the sovereignty of our tribal nations is under “We’re excited to kick off our new mobile-device attack, and we need your help! The NIWRC needs the user friendly website,” said Lucy Simpson, Executive support and investment of Indian tribes to see this Director for the NIWRC. “We will continue our focus on initiative through in order to protect the rights and lives providing online tools to communicate and distribute of Native women. We respectfully ask that you consider key information to support grassroots advocacy and making an investment in this critical work to protect national leadership to ending gender-based violence in tribal sovereignty and Native women. Indigenous communities.”

NIWRC.org will be an important tool in engaging, We offer two ways to support the VAWA SI: connecting, training, and sharing information and promising practices with advocates, Native nations, Mail your tax-deductible contribution, payable to communities, federal agencies, and allied organizations “NIWRC Sovereignty Initiative” across the country as they work to end these crimes. 1 P.O. Box 99, Lame Deer, MT 59043 “We continue to add new and updated resources to our website weekly with content produced by NIWRC staff and contributors,” said Tang Cheam, Technology Director for NIWRC. Visit www.niwrc.org/project/vawa- sovereignty-initiative to make your tax- 2 deductible contribution online using our PayPal system. EXPLORE ONLINE: niwrc.org Be sure to explore the page for videos, court case updates, and other VAWA SI resources. We look forward to keeping you updated about our progress and accomplishments in this important fight for Indian country. Thank you for being a champion for the rights and safety of Native women, children, families and communities! 40 |VAWA SI/ Summit.” Sliver of a Full Moon is the story of a movement to restore safety and access to justice to American Indian and Alaska Native women in the United States. It documents the grassroots movement leading up to the historic 2013 reauthorization of VAWA—an affirmative step toward restoring safety to Native women and sovereignty to Indian tribes to address certain violent crimes by non-Indians on Native lands. On March 7, 2013, President Obama signed VAWA into law. For more than three decades, federal law stripped Indian nations of their inherent authority to protect their own women, children, and communities from such violence. In 1978, the Supreme Court declared that Indian nations could no longer exercise jurisdiction over non- Natives who commit crimes on tribal lands (Oliphant v. Suquamish, 435 U.S. 191). VAWA 2013 is a step in the right direction, but in the words of survivor Lisa Brunner, it is only “a sliver of a full moon of what’s needed to really protect us.” Legal barriers remain. VAWA 2013 restores tribes’ jurisdiction to prosecute non-Indians only in the context of domestic or dating violence. In addition, while Section 910’s exemption for tribes in Alaska was recently repealed in December 2014, Section 904 continues to limit tribes’ jurisdiction to crimes committed in “Indian country.” As a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Alaska v. Village of Venetie Tribal Government (1998)—which declared that “Indian country” no longer exists in Alaska—Section 904 continues to deny 228 of the 229 federally recognized tribes in Alaska from the new protections afforded other Indian tribes. “This exemption is especially devastating,” explains Lenora (Lynn) Hootch, Director of the n Tuesday, June 14, 2016, Sliver of a Full Moon Yup’ik Women’s Coalition in Alaska and NIWRC was performed at the Smithsonian National Board member. “Alaska has the highest rate of Museum of the American Indian. The sexual assault in the country, and the rate of performance was hosted in conjunction violence against Alaska Native women is more than O with the White House: United State of double that of any other population of women.” Women Summit and by the Department of Sliver of a Full Moon has been presented at Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, Office theaters in California, Washington, D.C., New York, for Victims of Crime, and DHHS Family Violence New Mexico, and Oklahoma, as well as for the Prevention and Services program. United Nations. “It was heartwarming to see that every seat in For more information, visit the Rasmuson Theater was filled. White members www.sliverofafullmoon.org. of Congress and staff, White House staff, federal Twitter Handles/Hashtags: officials, and national organizations filled the 322 @NIWRC seats demonstrating their concern for the safety @MKnagle of Native women,” said Lucy Simpson, Director, @NCAI1944 National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. #SliverofaFullMoon “It was our honor to partner in organizing this #IndigenousRemembrance performance with the United State of Women #VAWA /SLIVER OF A FULL MOON | 41 Welcome Kelly Hallman Research & Evaluation Specialist elly Hallman, PhD, is a health policy researcher whose work focuses on domestic and sexual violence prevention, HIV prevention, adolescent sexual health and well-being, indigenous K empowerment, women’s empowerment, and equity in access to health services. She uses participatory, quantitative, and qualitative research methods to explore how programs can be more effective. She has worked throughout sub-Saharan Africa and in Central America and South Asia. She has trained researchers and program implementers in how to monitor progress and measure impact, and is an adviser on many panels and studies, including the Population Council’s Institutional Review Board. Kelly has authored numerous publications, including a comparative spatial mapping study, The Shrinking World of Girls at Puberty: Violence and Gender-Divergent Access to the Public Sphere among Adolescents in South Africa, showing that girls’ access to education and other community resources shrinks, while that of boys expands, at puberty due to threats of sexual violence. Research in Guatemala, Indigenous Girls in Guatemala: Poverty and Location, demonstrates that poverty and puberty-timed household labor demands and gender role restrictions – not indigenous ethnicity – are the main barriers to Mayan girls’ schooling. Social Exclusion: The Gendering of Adolescent HIV Risks in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa confirms that female social networks reduce girls’ HIV risk behaviors. Kelly is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation. She received her PhD in health economics from Michigan State University.

Keep up to date with the NIWRC e-newsletter

he National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) is excited to unveil our new mobile-device friendly WEBSITE in time for spring! Be sure to explore our new page for T resources to aid in your journey to end violence against Native women. This 2016 spring edition of Advocate! Beyond the Shelter Doors newsletter includes: a welcome to our new Research & Evaluation Specialist, Kelly Hallman, updates on our NativeLove youth challenge winners, awareness months coming up, and guest contributors Jennifer Himel (Hopi reservation in Northern Arizona) writing about her UNite to End Violence: Native Women’s Empowerment grass-roots organization and Cindy Lynn (Cayuga Nation) from our Speaker Bureau, providing some indigenous healing for survivors, as apart of June’s PTSD Awareness Month!

If you have an idea for the Featured Art section to the newsletter, we share art forms as a means of social change including, new documentaries or films, art exhibits and positive/uplifting projects connecting to domestic or family violence. Suggestions welcome!

4242 Subscriptions Now Available! restoration.niwrc.org $30 Individual / $100 Institutional

RESTORATION OF SOVEREIGNTY & SAFETY MAGAZINE, 2003-2016

Twelve years ago during the reauthorization process of the Violence Against Women Act, several national organizations came together to take a stand for the safety of Native women: Sacred Circle National Resource Center to End Violence Against Native Women, Clan Star, Inc., the National Congress of American Indians, and the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence. It was recognized that to fully participate in the national movement to create the changes needed to increase safety for Native women, broad communication was essential. The Restoration of Sovereignty & Safety magazine emerged to fulfill this task.

The Restoration of Sovereignty & Safety magazine is a publication dedicated to informing tribal leadership and communities of emerging issues impacting the safety of American Indian and Alaska Native women. The name of the magazine, Restoration of Sovereignty & Safety, reflects the grassroots strategy of the Task Force that by strengthening the sovereignty of Indian nations to hold perpetrators accountable the safety of Native women will be restored. The magazine is a joint project of the National Congress of American Indians Task Force on Violence Against Women and the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. It is produced and made available during national NCAI conventions and the annual USDOJ Tribal Consultation on VAWA.

Editorial Content Jacqueline “Jax” Agtuca Managing Editor Tang Cheam Contributors Princella RedCorn Virginia Davis, National Congress of American Indians Michelle Demmert, Tulalip Tribes and Volunteer, Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center Address editorial Christopher T. Foley, Indian Law Resource Center correspondence to: Karla General, Indian Law Resource Center Restoration Magazine Lenora Hootch, Yup’ik Women’s Coalition NIWRC Tami Jerue, Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center PO Box 99 Paula Julian, National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center Lame Deer, MT 59043 Mary Kathryn Nagle, Playwright [email protected] Rose Quilt, National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center Dorma Sahneyah, National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center Lucy Simpson, National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center Dawn Stover, Native Alliance Against Violence Jana Walker, Indian Law Resource Center

Funding for this project was made possible by Grant # 90EV0409 from the Department of Health and Human Services. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

43 Violence Against Women Is Not Our Tradition

515 Lame Deer Ave. Lame Deer MT 59043 1-855-649-7299 (406) 477-3896 [email protected] • niwrc.org fb.com/niwrc youtube.com/niwrc @niwrc